Jofrog is Knitfrog!
December 29 2008
I did a lot of gift sewing this year, and no gift knitting. (Not even Mike's annual Cashsoft DK socks, sorry!)
I love looking at a pile of fabric and seeing what it can become. This was my sister's gift a few weeks ago:
Thanks to this tutorial I was able to convert some of that into a fabulous little purse! I added on the strap (~1" wide), but otherwise I followed the excellent instructions to the letter.
This little pouch, as cool as it is, wasn't quite enough for a gift for my one and only sister though, so I filled it with all sorts of other things.
There is a pocket mirror from Ursula and Olive, a notepad from Books By Bexx, and a tissue holder made by me from this tutorial.
A note on the tissue holder, I almost bought one at a craft fair for $9... I'm so glad that I didn't because this one took me maybe 15 minutes to make, and it matches the bag exactly. I think it's great that someone can make these and sell them for that much, but if you can sew, even a bit... hey, if you've thought about trying to sew, try making one of these and you'll see what I mean!
One more big gift to report and then a few little ones. Overall, in a year where many people were cutting back on presents, I gave some of the best I've ever given and spent very little money doing it. I hope that people appreciate their handmade gifts, and I felt great giving them.Another Gift!
December 22 2008
This is my first attempt at applique, and I totally winged it. I asked Alison a while ago if she wanted to take an applique class with me and she basically responded "why". I figured that was license enough just to go ahead and do it. What's the worst that could happen?
Because it's so close to Christmas (and I just finished this gift now at 2:30PM and it's being gifted at 4:30PM), I didn't get to wash it after I sewed it on. I can't wait to see the fraying that happens or doesn't happen... I really have no clue. Luckily it's for one of Kaya's buddy's and hopefully we'll get to see it in action in the future.
A is for Applique
This gift is being given this afternoon to a little guy that doesn't read my blog... starting next week I can show the other gifts that have been made this year!
December 19 2008
Kaya these days always wants to help me in the kitchen. She's good at scooping, and counting, and dumping (in the bowl and on the floor). My real helper though, is our dog Naomi! Naomi was a stray for a very long time before she came into our home. She's still (6.5 years later) a big scavenger, and raw flour is one of the things she loves the most. (Cooking spray is a very close second!) This is a huge help when cooking in the kitchen with a toddler! Naomi is constantly under foot when I'm in the kitchen, and although I do end up with very "clean" floors, I end up with a messy dog. Exhibit A: She is graying quite a bit these days, but that is all flour on her head and back. Happy Holidays to you Naomi! Enjoy the rest of the baking season.My Kitchen Helper
December 18 2008
Kaya is such a pipsqueak, that I expect all of her clothes to fit forever. The truth is there are some 6-12mo sized pants I'm still putting on her, but she is growing out of her 18mo sized sleepers... I guess it's time to face the fact that she is growing. There are a bunch of sweaters that never quite got completed for her. Some just waiting for buttons, some needing the last sleeve. It's a shame, but I did enjoy the knitting, and my kid isn't cold, so it could be worse! This morning, when I was getting her dressed, I put the Green Bean sweater on her. It was a bit cropped in January when I finished it, so no surprise it fits her like this now: Oh well, she'll wear it today and then maybe I'll weave in that last end that is dangling on the inside and pass it along to a much smaller child! ...like a 6 month old!Kaya is Growing...
December 10 2008
I spent this past weekend (both Saturday and Sunday) like this:
...except Kaya wasn't with me for most of it. Can you see her fancy "Disco" shoes? She loves them! ...apparently so does everyone else. I had 9 pairs with me and they all sold this weekend!
I'm in the midst of filling wholesale orders, custom orders, and prepping for the last show of the season coming up on Saturday. After that I'll be starting in on my holiday presents. I'm so glad Channukah is late this year!
I have snuck in some knitting time too. It's so nice to have the needles back in my hands. I'm making progress on Kaya's new cardigan, but I haven't photographed it yet. I'm hoping after some good knitting time this next Sunday I'll have a lot to show.
How is your holiday craziness going? Anyone else not started on their holiday gifts yet?One More To Go!
